Poulan Mower with B&S Engine Leaking Fuel

[anl0109]

My brand new mower, Poulan self-propelled w/ Briggs & Stratton 625 series engine, is running well but after using it for about an hour today, noticed that the foam air filter was soaked in fuel. Some fuel even leaked out on the deck. Is this a carb issue? I don't know if there is a simple fix or if this is a reason to return the unit. Any thoughts?

FWIW, I'm using manufacturer supplied oil and 100% gasoline (+ small dose of Stabil Storage) from a Mobil gas station. The engine has ReadyStart so no priming.

 

[skyactiv]

I'm going to list the simple fixes first. Make sure the fuel line is seated properly. A piece of dirt could have got stuck in the carb needle and seat goofing up the float. Inspect the fuel line and shake the mower.

 

[330indy]

I also have a recent Poulan PP19A42
Like it a lot!
Took a bit of FF oil out and added Refline Break In Afditive oil.
Motor likes it so far

 

[anl0109]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I'm going to list the simple fixes first. Make sure the fuel line is seated properly. A piece of dirt could have got stuck in the carb needle and seat goofing up the float. Inspect the fuel line and shake the mower.


Thanks. Will have to try.

 

[anl0109]

Originally Posted By: 330indy
I also have a recent Poulan PP19A42
Like it a lot!


Nice. Mine is a fairly simple FWD push mower: Poulan PRO model PR625Y22RP / item 961420126. Previous B&S experience was flawless but that was a Troy-Bilt manual push. Maybe TB mowers have higher quality B&S engines?

 

[anl0109]

Haven't had much time but ran for 10-15 min today. Got it nice and hot although that's not that long. No leaking per se but still some fuel visible inside the air filter housing. I did "knock" on the carb and rock/shake the mower a bit prior to... Will run again later in the week and longer.

 

[yeehaw1960]

Did the mower get tipped up with the carburetor down for a moment or so at anytime before you noticed the soaked air filter? AND, I had a guy bring his mower in once because gas was getting on the air filter and found that the guard that is normally on the air filter housing was missing. Ahhhh...quality control!

 

[anl0109]

Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960
Did the mower get tipped up with the carburetor down for a moment or so at anytime before you noticed the soaked air filter? AND, I had a guy bring his mower in once because gas was getting on the air filter and found that the guard that is normally on the air filter housing was missing. Ahhhh...quality control!


The mower was delivered by UPS/FedEx and placed on its side. Actually, might have been front end down. When I opened it, there was some sort of film layer on some parts of it. Break-in oil of some sort? It must have come out of the engine. Might have come out of the air filter housing. Can't recall. The oil bottle provided was intact.

But after about a 20 minute run yesterday, there is some fuel in the housing but not too terrible I guess. Still concerns me. I don't think I'm supposed to see any.